Jan. 24, 2008

PITTSBURGH--The No. 20-ranked Panther wrestling team heads to Cleveland, Ohio, to take on EWL opponent Cleveland State in the Woodling Gymnasium at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 25.

Last week against Lock Haven, junior and No. 12 heavyweight Zach Sheaffer (Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley) was sidelined with a cold but is ready to step back on the mat this week. In Sheaffer's absence, Ryan Tomei (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) stepped up and utilized three takedowns to earn the major decision against his Lock Haven opponent.

Sophomore Jimmy Conroy (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) locked up a 6-1 decision in the 133-pound match up, while Dave Sullivan (Dingmans Ferry, Pa./Delaware Valley/East Stroudsburg) overpowered Lock Haven's Tom Kocher, winning the match 6-0 at 184 pounds.

All-Americans Drew Headlee, Matt Kocher and Keith Gavin, displayed strong performances and were also victorious in the match. Headlee (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg) and Kocher (State College, Pa./State College) both secured major decisions, while Gavin (Factoryville, Pa./Lackawanna Trail) put Lock Haven's Mike Metzger on his back with just 29 seconds left in the bout.

The Vikings return to EWL competition this week after going 1-2 at the Ashland Duals last week. Pittsburgh has won three of the last five meetings between the two squads and is eager to topple the Vikings.